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Largest group of Anna Pottery ever offered at auction featured in vintage firearms sale

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Rock Island Auction Company is featuring The Putnam Green Collection Part II: an outstanding collection of rare, historic, and high condition U.S. and German Military arms as well as the largest collection of Anna Pottery ever offered at auction -300 lots – during its Sept. 9-11 auction.

Highlights of the Putnam collection include the finest known historical U.S. DWM Model 1902 American Eagle cartridge counter Luger pistol serial number 22430 with holster ($50,000-$90,000 ); a magnificent Mauser Model 1912/14 experimental pistol in 9mm, with matching shoulder stock ($45,000.00-$80,000.00) and a rare early production U.S. Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol serial number 33 ($40,000-$80,000).

Military arms in this collection also include prototype P-38’s, DWM Model 1900 Test Luger, multiple presentation pistols, exceptional German military longarms and sniper rifles, and the finest known Springfield 1903 with shipping case as well as many posters, uniforms and military memorabilia.

The September sale also includes more than 400 U.S. Military arms brought to auction. More than 25 WWI and WWII trench shotguns, more than 130 1911’s and Part 1 of the finest M1 Carbine Collection, featuring every serial number block for each contractor of M1 Carbines during WWII.

Top U.S. Military lots include an excellent WWI production Winchester Model 1897 trench gun ($5,000-$7,500) and a desirable WWII inland M1 carbine with M3 infrared sniper scope and accessories (4,500-$6,500). Also many uniforms and memorabilia identified to historic Generals such as Douglas MacArthur, David McCampbell, and George S. Patton.

Military collectibles are not limited to those from the United States, German military arms are also well represented. More than 350 Lugers with highlights including: an outstanding cased Model 1893 Borchardt pistol rig complete with matching walnut shoulder stock, four matching magazines and accessories ($25,000-$45,000), a WWII Nazi “1943” Dated Krieghoff luger rig with Luftwaffe/Krieghoff proofed holster and matching magazine ($8,500-$13,000), and an excellent DWM Model 1900 American Eagle Luger semi-automatic pistol with rare ideal stock ($4,500-$6,500). Other notable German arms include two WWII Cased J.P. Sauer & Sohns Luftwaffe M30 Survival Drillings, nearly 50 P-38s including prototypes and zero series, and sniper rifles many of which are rare and in high condition.

Fast forward to the Civil War and take note of three incredible Henry rifles. A magnificent deluxe factory engraved, New Haven Arms Henry lever action rifle with silver plated frame ($90,000-$160,000), a historical presentation Henry Lever Action Rifle, inscribed to Andersonville Prison survivor Frank W. Smith from famed Ohio philanthropist Stillman Witt with extensive documentation ($50,000-$100,000), and a U.S. Contract Henry Rifle ($45,000-80,000). In addition are many rare Civil War handguns and longarms.

Perennial powerhouses Colt and Winchester are well represented each with quality and quantity. An exceptional and rare Colt Model 1855 revolving carbine ($40,000-$60,000) and a unique lot of Colt percussion revolvers of the specific type used by Commodore Perry in his expedition to Japan of 1852-1853 ($25,000-$75,000) lead the way for the over 500 Colts this September. The over 250 Winchesters are lead by an exceptional special order deluxe Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle with Cody letter ($30,000-$40,000)

For the first time ever Rock Island Auction has acquired a special collection of more than 300 pieces of American stoneware. The collection features more than 75 examples from the historic Anna Pottery which is the most Anna Pottery ever offered at auction (previous record being only 16). Anna Pottery is true American folk art, made from 1859-1893 by the Kirkpatrick brothers, Cornwall and Wallace, who were well known for vocalizing their opinions on politics, social issues, and the temperance movement during the last half of the 19th century.

The highlight of this unique collection is a Fair Jug from the 1884 Southern Illinois Fair, which is estimated to bring $75,000-$150,000. Fair Jugs commemorated local social events of the year by documenting winners of various categories, event organizers as well as distinguished members of society. Only three fair jugs are known to exist in private hands, and two of these will be offered at this auction.

Other top Anna Pottery lots include two snake jugs, the first of which is an extremely rare salt glaze snake jug with 8 to 7 vote political statement of the Presidential decision Hayes and Tilden of 1876 ($70,000-$100,000) and the second is a fantastic sample to the snake jug in the Smithsonian Institute dated January 1, 1876 ($50,00-$75,000).

No collection of Anna Pottery would be complete without their most famous works, the Anna Pottery pig flask. More than 25 of the finest examples of political presentations, liquor advertising, railroad and river guide presentation pig flasks to be offered. The most anticipated of these being the historically significant political Horace Greeley presentation pig flask incised: “Who Ever Says This Is A Trap Is A Liar – Presidency,” which is estimated to sell for between $35,000 and $55,000.

In addition to Anna Pottery, many regions from throughout the United States are represented including both Midwestern and Eastern Stoneware, Ohio Pottery, Red Wing Pottery, Illinois Stoneware and Texas Pottery, most of which are maker marked. An extraordinary Americana folk art presentation stoneware jug presented by Red Wing Pottery to the family of Murray Van Deuson after his death at the Red Wing Pottery Facility is estimated to bring $15,000-$30,000, making it the highest estimated item outside of the Anna Pottery.

More than 30 decorated jugs, 130 liquor advertisements, 12 churns, and more than 30 crocks and water coolers are to be offered in this auction as well. All pottery will be sold following the firearms session, at approximately 1 p.m. Sept. 11, 2011.